The ban on gas heating in Germany is not coming as planned. The federal government changes the plans.
Update from Tuesday, July 20th, 2022, 8:00 a.m.: Not after all. A ban on gas heaters for 2024 had been announced, but the government is now overturning the plan. The change in the law would have made heat pumps a mandatory alternative in many cases. The original plans to ban gas heating are not feasible, according to a joint letter from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Construction, which was reported on by Der Spiegel , among others.
It was originally planned that from 2024 only heating systems that are covered by at least 65 percent renewable energy may be installed. As the Focus reports, alternatives for gas heating should now become more attractive for consumers, which are covered by a total of 65 percent with renewable energy. These include heat pumps and hybrid devices, gas heaters with sustainable biomethane, green hydrogen or other green gases. Biomass heating, direct electricity heating or connection to a district heating network should also be made easier in the future.
First report from Monday, July 19th, 2022, 11:00 a.m.: Hamm – The fear of the next utility bill is great among consumers in Germany. Due to the war in Ukraine, heating with gas is more expensive than it has been for a long time. Back payments in three-digit amounts are now normal. But that should soon be over. The federal government wants to put an abrupt end to gas heating in North Rhine-Westphalia and all of Germany.
Ban on gas heaters: when the federal government wants to act
The German building sector was unable to meet the climate requirements last year. Two million tons of greenhouse gases were emitted too much. “We have to change the way we heat our houses,” demanded Building Minister Clara Geywitz (SPD). An immediate program was therefore set up together with the Ministry of Economics by Robert Habeck (Greens). As early as 2024, no new gas heaters should be installed, as reported by wa.de.
Due to the current urgency, the government has moved this step forward by one year, according to information from Spiegel . A landlord recently even cut the hot water supply. It was originally agreed in the coalition agreement of the traffic light government that every newly installed heating system must consist of at least 65 percent renewable energy. But: This plan has not yet been finally decided.
Ban on gas heaters: replacement is expensive – state supports
But what does that mean for consumers in Germany who currently heat their own four walls with gas heating? According to the Building Energy Act, property owners must replace the gas heating system after 30 years at the latest. This applies to oil and gas boilers that are more than 30 years old, have a normal size (4-400 kW heat output) and were installed by the supposed deadline of January 1, 2024. However, this does not apply to condensing and low-temperature boilers. You can ask the authorized district chimney sweep which boiler the consumer has. However, since some gas heaters show a drop in performance after just ten to 15 years, an early change could be worthwhile.
But it is also clear that replacing the heating system is expensive. Those who rely on renewable energies are supported by the federal government. For example, the state supports private individuals with grants and low-interest loans. This is especially true when replacing the old gas heating with hybrid systems, renewable energies and also energy consultants who will find the right system for your own four walls.
The ministries described the heat pump in particular as promising and even as a key technology, which can even be operated in a climate-neutral manner in the long term. Due to the high degree of efficiency, this could work greenhouse gas-neutral. However, the heat pump does not make sense in all households. This can result in immense additional costs. (Sven Schneider)
